NEWS & PRESS

At Left Coast Marketing & Design we have five core values we hold very close to us. These values are something every member of the team upholds, making sure we get the work done and have fun doing it. We believe these to be very important aspects of our business model ensuring our work is efficient and effective.

1. Customer Service is our #1 Service

2. Project Management is in our DNA

3. Love What You Do

4. Love Who You Work With

5. Work + Life = Balance

Whether we’re working on a design project, strategizing a digital marketing plan, or in the studio for a product shoot, we always make sure to keep our values in mind. It’s rare you find work which includes client visits in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Sonoma County and Napa Valley wine country. Below, we’ll show you a behind the scenes look at Life on the Left Coast and the madness to all our methods.

1. Customer Service Is Our #1 Service - Our clients are our #1 priority. We make sure to do all we can on our end to satisfy the needs of those we with whom we are doing business - having a plan, staying organized, and keeping a clear line of communication really strengthens the relationships we have developed through the years. Product photoshoots, for example, can be hectic at times, but always come together with an organized plan. We have our photo studio separate from the office, and if desired, we even go in to the clients’ studio space to get the job done! After the shoot, come all the edits - quite a timely process, but staying organized is what gets us through to a successful outcome.

2. Project Management Is In Our DNA - Design is one part of the creative services we offer, whether you need a logo refreshed, a brand revitalized, or innovative print material completed for your company, we got you covered. Our project manager, Jon Strachan, keeps his head fully wrapped around all of the projects coming down the pipeline to ensure efficiency and successful completion of projects on time and in budget. With more than 50 open projects at any given time, it is important for everyone on the team to understand and apply the importance of project management. Once we have full control over the projects at hand, we are then able to take our creative powers and put them to use. We work as a collaborative team and love to have brainstorming sessions to let all creative perspectives run free!

3. Love What You Do - One of our favorite tasks here at Left Coast are client visits! This means going out in the field and reaching each and every client. This point of contact means so much to us; we try and go as often as possible - after all, customer service is our #1 service! We love helping develop and execute innovative plans for our clients in their digital marketing and design efforts, making sure they have everything they need to carry on their business with a strong andconsistent web presenceand print materials.

4. Love Who You Work With - The team at Left Coast Marketing & Design is small but mighty. With less than 15 people on the team, we have a strong group of creatives putting their minds together to bring Sonoma County and Napa Valley closer and closer to achieving their marketing and design goals. There is nothing better than team lunches, jokes at the office (thanks to Jon and Dan), and client team outings! We can’t wait to see the team grow and the business thrive!

5. Work + Life = Balance - Mixing work with pleasure is an unstated rule here. We give our team the freedom to get their work done in their most productive place. Out by the pool, in the home office, or even working vacation-style from places like Tahoe and Cabo! It just makes Life on the Left Coast that much sweeter! We all have our sanctuaries and favorite spots and we are so lucky we are not cooped up in a cubical all day long!

Is your business in need of a great team to help elevate your brand with Digital Marketing or Design?

We're looking forward to hearing from YOU!

Last Thursday night, Left Coast Marketing & Design was invited to join the fun at Healdsburg’s newest restaurant, Barrels, Brews, & Bites (B3)! This new spot has a great relaxing, lounge vibe to it creating the perfect atmosphere to spend any time of day, especially our favorite times - brunch and happy hour!

B3 was established in 2017, by Saundra Kitchen, who had always dreamed of opening her own restaurant. She told us when the time came, there was no doubt that Healdsburg had to be the first (but not last) location to open in the Bay Area. They are bringing forward a new experience that pairs local craft beer and hidden gem wine with savory food pairings that they call a "Trinity Flight." That means, no more splitting up the beer lovers from the wine enthusiasts! The unique concept promised by B3 is a melding of Sonoma County producers and their own "Bite Barons," a term by which their chefs are known, creating the best “sip and savor experience” in Sonoma County.

Join us on a photo journey as we share our experience at B3’s VIP Media Night where they showcased some of their best menu items.

Our first dish featured a combination of two menu favorites, the Lil’ Cluckers Deviled Eggs Done Right and the Crispy Prosciutto Cups.

B3’s unique take on deviled eggs sure is definitely done right. This small bite packed big flavor with the perfect hint of spice from the jalapeno and seasonings of the egg yolk. Topped with the bacon jam, the dish was sweet and complementary - all together a delicious harmony of flavors.

The Crispy Prosciutto Cups were filled with whipped goat cheese, topped with a sweet berry compote and a spicy glazed jalapeno! Either or both appetizers would make the perfect addition to any happy hour!

Barrels, Brews, & Bites adds a creative and colorful touch to their signature dishes with fresh edible flowers! Not simply a decorative addition - they are lightly flavored with hints of citrus orange and tri-spice.

Next, we enjoyed a fresh basket of Red Bird Bakery bread with a trio of house made spreads (from left to right): artichoke, pimento cheese, and smoked salmon. The appetizer paired beautifully with a crisp sparkling wine. Our choices were Rack & Riddle’s Sparkling Rose and Blanc de Blanc - yum!

Fun Fact: B3 doesn’t use your average champagne flute to serve their sparkling wines. Sparkling wine flutes are really fun glasses to drink from, but the glass is mostly for show. A number of wine geeks enjoy drinking sparkling wine out of Burgundy glasses to help open up the aromatics of the wine, and that is what you will find at B3.

When you know, you know. B3 has some amazing menu items, but the Elotes were off the chart! They have taken a traditional Mexican street snack and elevated it to stand alongside their other menu items. This comfort food has an elegant presence and something we want to snack on all day every day!

For dessert, a sweet treat prepared by the Bite Barons offered us a tasty combination of light chocolate cream with berry compote topped with housemade whip.

Left Coast Marketing & Design wants to congratulate our friends at B3 on their grand opening and happily welcome them as a part of the Healdsburg family. We want to wish you the best of luck!

Everywhere you turn you are most likely going to see a brand’s logo. Whether you are at work, out and about in town, or even at home - logos surround you in your day-to-day routine. Take a second and look around you. It’s almost as if you can’t get away from them no matter how hard you try. Why are these pictures and words on products so important? Could you even imagine what your favorite product would be without that packaging design? As a business owner or a designer, it is very important to know what the purpose of a logo is and why it matters so much in making your business successful.

The primary purpose of a logo is brand recognition.

You want to give people a visual representation of your brand. If it is compelling enough, it is something that will become ingrained in the minds of society and build success on the familiarity that people have with it. This one very special component of your company should be representative of your brand as a whole. Take the Nike Swoosh for example - when you see it, it is nearly impossible to NOTto think of their brand.

Logos should be looked at as a strategic business tool. As much as the designers of the world want to run wild and create the best piece of art for a business to use as their symbolic brand representation, it should have a strong strategic foundation to stand on. As you go into brand development and design mode, you might ask yourself, “How can this symbol stand out amongst the rest and does it have the potential to “play with the big dogs” like Nike and Apple?” The key here is not to overthink it. When developing the logo design, simplicity is often key. The nicest thing about having some type of non-typographic symbol as your logo is the universality it has. Not only can it develop brand recognition in its native place of creation, but it can become recognized in places and cultures world-wide.

You want to design something easily identifiable to the consumers' eye.

Think of yourself walking down the busiest street in San Francisco, Healdsburg, Sonoma County, or any city big or small - what brands catch your eye? Maybe the ones you are most familiar with, or the ones with the brightest colors and intriguing pictures… Whatever it is, these are all factors that should go into your design process. As David Airey says in his book Logo Design Love, “A logoless company is a faceless man.” This means so much in your business’ creative brand development and something that should not be overlooked or come as an afterthought.

Brand logos often influence buyer decisions. When thinking of your logo as a business tool, communicating the brand’s values and any additional meaning may effectively elevate efforts on sales, digital marketing and design. Let’s pretend for a moment that you are at the grocery store shopping for coffee. Now, you might have your go-to, and if you don’t you might pick one that you are familiar with (even if it’s just the name brand). But, what if you wanted to try something new? The options are endless and how do you choose one? More often than not, consumers are influenced by brand packaging and design when in the decision making process. They are left (almost) clueless if unfamiliar with the brand and may only shop by logo design or packaging. The common question people ask themselves is, “What looks good?” It is crucial for business owners and the creative team to keep this in mind when working with the logo.

By understanding the role of a logo design in your brands' development, you will be able to create strong brand identities that will perform for the business, rather than just creating a pretty picture. The logo that you create will be seen on almost all print and digital tools used for your business, including business cards, Sales POS, newsletters, signage and more!

Are you looking for someone to help you strengthen your web presence with design and digital marketing? Take your business to new heights - let’s discuss working together!

About Tara:

"Originally I am from San Jose, California and I believe to have finally found my place in Sonoma County. I graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in Business Marketing, a minor in Applied Statistics, and a strong passion to create and be apart of an amazing creative team. After graduating I decided to pursue online courses in Graphic Design to better my creative skill and give me the leverage I needed to find a job in a creative marketing agency. After a long two years of working hard to better myself and my skills, I was so excited to accept the Digital Marketing Coordinator and Junior Designer position with Left Coast Marketing and Design, a company I had my eyes on since the time I had graduated. I love how much the company promotes their core valuesand really sticks to 'em. After almost a month here, I am really looking forward to my time with the team and the endless amount of growth to come!"

Get to know Tara!

Q: Do you have any pets?

A: I have a cat named Nala (the cutest), but I have been really wanting a puppy!

Q: What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

A: Last year I went skydiving in Colorado. It was pretty awesome and I would do it again any day!

Q: What is your favorite time of day and why?

A: "Golden Hour." 1. Because who doesn't love a good sunset? 2. This time of day means dinner and I LOVE cooking with friends!

Q: What is your favorite activity outside of work?

A: I really enjoy the outdoors and the adventure that comes with it! Whether it's a hike, a concert, a drive, or a camping trip, I love sharing that time with friends and loved ones - especially when I can capture it all on camera!

Q: If you were stranded on an island and could only bring one essential oil, which one would it be and why?

A: I would make sure I had Lavender oil. Lavender is light and mighty with the power to kill off infections, help heal wounds, and enables you to sleep soundly! After my time working for an essential oil company, I have become very familiar with essential oils and the healing power of plants!

Healdsburg has long been a destination for tourists looking to explore the wine regions in the area, but there is a lot to do besides just drink wine! We put together a list of some of our favorite local businesses in Healdsburg that we want to shed some light on!

Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce: For information about Healdsburg and what to do and how to get there, your first stop has to be the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce! Stop in and grab maps, handouts, business cards and more, or visit their website !

Grapeseed Wine: Discover Grapeseed portfolio of wines at the Paul Mahder Gallery in Healdsburg. The combination of beautiful artwork and delicious wine is not something you want to miss!

Hotel Healdsburg: Experience Hotel Healdsburg, between the beautiful rooms, spa offers, dining options and more, Hotel Healdsburg is the perfect place to visit, weather you're new to healdsburg or a local!

River Rock Casino:River Rock Casino is a fun destination for those who want to play, eat or relax while enjoying the incredible valley views, follow them on instagram! @riverrockcasinogeyserville

Savor Healdsburg: “Savor Healdsburg culinary walking tours will share the best of Healdsburg's celebrated food and wine scene - all from a local perspective. Our 3-hour guided tours are the ultimate way to taste the flavors of Wine Country in a progressive dining experience!”